What makes Mark Borschardt so
relatable is that we all know someone like him. He is slightly mad and socially
awkward yet assertive and intelligent, a fast talker with a quick wit and a big
mouth. He is at some points self-confident and optimistic of the future, and
other points hopelessly down in the dumps or drunk out of his already wacked
out mind. He is also passionate about his life’s ambition, to fulfill his dream
of making a feature horror film inspired by his own favorites Night of the
Living Dead and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
In the pursuit to complete the film
Mark undergoes a series of hurdles and setbacks that succeed in making bad
situations worse, prolonging an already drawn out production and frustrating
his family and friends. In order to secure funding for the film, he must coerce
his notoriously stringy elderly Uncle Bill to help finance the project,
resulting in quite a few scenes of comedy gold. Interviews with Mark’s family
are candid and revealing, shedding light on some factors that may have
influenced Mark’s obsession with cinema.
Mike
The colorful cast of characters is
filled out by his long since burnt out friends Mike and Kenny, who have been
helping Mark make his films since they were all kids. Mike Schank in particular
steals the movie with his slow moving, soft-spoken voice delivering some of the
funniest lines in the movie.
American movie is a fantastic
documentary that paints a thorough and engaging portrait of a man inspired by
passion and driven by obsession. It offers a glimpse into the life and psyche
of a flawed yet sympathetic character in both his darkest and brightest
moments. If you’d like the learn something about the power of peserverence, I
suggest you watch this film.
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